System and method for performing substitute fulfillment

ABSTRACT

A system and method for automating the performance of substitute fulfillment. The system includes a server which receives absentee information representing an absent worker via a telephone communication link or an Internet communication link. In response to receiving the absentee information, the system generates a list of potential substitute workers. The system then contacts potential substitute workers until one is found or until the list is exhausted. The system can also post a list of positions that are available on a website allowing potential substitute workers to search for a position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/683,093, filed Nov. 16, 2001, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No.09/419,266, filed Oct. 15, 1999, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety, which is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. application Ser. No.09/217,116, filed Dec. 21, 1998, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a human resource management system.More specifically, this invention relates to a human resource managementsystem for performing substitute fulfillment, compiling absence andentitlement information, notifications of unexpected events, schedules,instructional information, and notifications of benefits and policies.

2. Background Information

To date, locating a substitute to fill a temporary employee absence inan organization, a process referred to as “substitute fulfillment,” hasgenerally been an unreliable, labor-intensive, and often panic-drivenprocess. In any organization, the absence of a worker can have tangibleconsequences throughout the workplace. The effects of an employeeabsence vary with the nature of the work environment and with the scopeof the employee's position. For example, upcoming deadlines and patternsof absenteeism can have different consequences within a particularorganization. These consequences may be immediate and drastic, as whenan assembly line shuts down due to the absence of a critical worker onthe line or an airline pilot is not able to report to duty, or moreattenuated and moderate, as when another employee is distracted from hisprimary task to answer telephones due to the absence of the officereceptionist. These consequences may also include diversion ofmanagement resources to address the consequences of the absence; delaysin accomplishing projects in which the absentee has a role; displacementof other employees who must fulfill the absentee's role, either byexpress assignment or in order to complete their own tasks; reducedproductivity; fines levied against the organization, particularly if theabsence impacts safety or other government-regulated aspects of the workenvironment; and, in an extreme but not uncommon case, the inability tocomplete the central task of the organization.

In the latter case, assignment of a substitute worker is imperative or“mission-critical”—without the substitute worker, the mission of theorganization will not go forward. In this instance, filling the vacancywith a temporary substitute is the only acceptable alternative. In othercases, assignment of a substitute worker may not be mission-critical,but may nevertheless be a preferred policy in order to minimize theconsequences of any absence. As a result, an upcoming absence may impactthe workplace even before the absence period begins, as managersconsider ways of compensating for the absence. Examples of workenvironments in which substitute fulfillment may be a mission-criticaltask include schools, emergency services, security services, airlines,and manufacturing plants, particularly plants with an assembly-lineoperation. The substitute of an absent teacher with a substitute teacheris a commonly occurring example of a mission-criticalsubstitute-fulfillment objective.

Thus, when an employee notifies the organization that the employee willbe absent, in an organization where a substitute is necessary ordesired, management must necessarily turn its attention to thesubstitute fulfillment task or risk a noticeable reduction in theproductivity of the organization or an inability to accomplish thebusiness of the organization for the entire absence period. Althoughseemingly simple in concept, the substitute fulfillment task isnon-trivial, requiring managers to devote significant time, effort andother resources, with no guarantee of success. The number ofintermediate tasks that must be accomplished and constraints that mustbe satisfied to successfully realize a particular substitute in a timelymanner complicates substitute fulfillment.

The absent worker often provides notice of his or her impending absenceless than a day, or even only several hours, before the worker isexpected at work. Thus, management typically enters the substitutefulfillment task with little time to carry it out. Should there be noautomation of the process in any aspect, then management must directeach step of the process.

Once the absence, which may extend from only hours to several days, oreven months, is known, management must typically identify the scope ofthe absentee worker's critical responsibilities and skills to establishcriteria for identifying a suitable substitute and develop asubstitution candidate profile. Typically, multiple substitutioncandidate profiles may be established, with more demanding requirementsfor ideal or preferred substitutes, and with less demanding, thresholdrequirements for merely acceptable substitutes. Once the appropriatequalifications for an acceptable substitute are established, managementmay consider potential substitutes from a prepared list of candidates,or alternatively, management may identify potential candidates by someother means. Candidates may be regular employees of the affectedworkplace, for example, assembly line workers at a manufacturing plantwho work different shifts from the absentee, or, persons from outsidethe workplace, for example, substitute teachers registered with a schooldistrict.

Management must then contact potential substitutes, typically bytelephone, and determine whether potential substitutes are available andwilling to work at the desired times in the desired position. Merelyreaching potential substitutes may require several attempts. In the bestcase, management will eventually locate and assign an availablesubstitute to cover the vacancy. In the worst case, management will beunable to find a substitute, despite having expended significantresources on the substitute fulfillment task. The substitute fulfillmenttask is substantially, but not wholly, complete when the availablesubstitute is assigned. Typically, management performing the substitutefulfillment must then notify the appropriate persons that a substitutehas been confirmed to facilitate inclusion of the substitute in theworkplace. Due to the complexity of the substitute fulfillment task andthe diversion of resources it entails, many workplaces may foregosubstitute fulfillment despite its desirability.

Substitute fulfillment is a routine practice in the education system,especially at the primary and secondary school levels. An example ofsubstitute fulfillment for a high school teacher is provided herein asan accessible example and for reference. The substitute fulfillment taskusually is triggered in a school when a teacher “calls in sick.”Depending on the degree to which substitute fulfillment is automated inthe school or district, locating a substitute teacher may require theefforts of a principal or other administrator, as well as severalsupport staff members. Once a teacher has called in sick or otherwisesignaled his absence, perhaps the night before or even the morning ofthe absence, the responsible administrator must disrupt her schedule tofocus on the substitute fulfillment task. If she is unable to find asubstitute teacher, the operation of the class, the department, and eventhe whole school may be disrupted. For example, the affected classes mayfall behind in their scheduled curricula, an administrator or otherteachers may have to neglect their other duties to cover for theabsentee, and/or the school may be fined by the state for failing toprovide an acceptable substitute teacher.

In order to perform the substitute fulfillment, generally theadministrator first must determine which classes the absent teacherteaches and what skills are required of a substitute. For example, if anabsent teacher is a high school science teacher who teaches AP Physicsand basic chemistry, a substitute may be required not only to have acollege degree but also specifically to have pursued college-levelclasses in both subjects. The administrator may then identify acceptablesubstitutes from those substitutes registered with the school district.The administrator then telephones potential substitutes to check theiravailability and willingness to take on the assignment. Often, theadministrator may have to telephone an individual substitute severaltimes to speak with the individual substitute and obtain a response. Ifthe administrator locates and confirms a substitute, the administratorthen has to inform the relevant school head or other teachers andcomplete paperwork for processing the substitute assignment.

Presently, computer systems for supporting substitute fulfillment areknown in the education field. Individual schools in a school districttypically share a single such system installed at the school districtlevel. Typical system equipment includes at least one dedicatedcomputer, combined with specialized telephony equipment, includingmultiple phone lines, and other equipment. The equipment is expensiveand set-up of the substitute fulfillment system may be technicallydemanding. A school district must invest in equipment adequate to handleits anticipated volume of use. In order to upgrade the system, often allof the equipment must be replaced, at substantial expense andinconvenience.

In these automated systems, necessary information relating to teachers,substitution criteria, registered substitutes, etc., is entered andmaintained in a database through software on the system at the schooldistrict level. Individual schools may receive daily absence informationfrom the school district office via facsimile. School district personnelmust receive absence notification and initiate and oversee thesubstitute fulfillment procedure with support from the system.Significant involvement by school district personnel and the systemvendor may be required, including hardware and software support of thesystem.

In light of the mission-critical nature of the substitute fulfillmenttask in the education system, the reliability of the system is a keyconcern. At present, substitute fulfillment systems are not adequatelyreliable. Power failures, computer network interruptions, telephoneoutages, computer system failures, unauthorized tampering, computersecurity crime, and other catastrophic events may undermine the efficacyof systems operated at the school district level. Because allinformation is maintained locally at the school district level, systemfailures may result in partial or total data loss. Backup systems entailadditional expense, often not within the budgets of school systems.

Present systems are inherently limited in their capabilities due toequipment limitations, access constraints, and operation requirements;thus, each district typically purchases and installs a system andindependently handles its own substitute fulfillment using the purchasedsystem. As a result of the decentralized nature of substitutefulfillment management in present systems, it is virtually impossiblefor school districts to share information and common substitutefulfillment resources. For the same reason, compilation or aggregationof data relating to substitute fulfillment across school districts isdifficult and uncommon. All of the costs, responsibilities,disadvantages, and inconveniences of substitute fulfillment aretypically borne exclusively and separately by individual schooldistricts and schools.

Additionally, organizations including but not limited to schools, schooldistricts and business entities require a centralized system and methodof tracking workers” absences and entitlements, including but notlimited to used and available vacation, personal and sick time.Administrators and workers have a time-consuming, inefficient and ofteninaccurate procedures for recording absences and entitlements. Thisresults in labor-intensive recordation procedures and often no universalrecord (for access by both administrators and workers) detailingup-to-date absences and entitlements for the particular worker, a groupof workers, or the overall workforce of the organization.

Organizations also require an efficient, current and easily accessiblesystem and method for recording and announcing benefits, policies,current and unexpected events. Presently, organizations often resort tobulletin boards, which are not remotely accessible, or phone chains,which are inefficient, unreliable, and labor-intensive.

Illustrated here with particular examples, these same considerations aregenerally applicable to any organization. Due to the mission-criticalnature of these tasks, it is crucial that any equipment or methodrelating to substitute fulfillment, information compilation ornotification be reliable and efficient. It is an advantage of thepresent invention to provide a reliable, efficient system and method ofsubstitute fulfillment, information compilation and notification. It isa further advantage of the present invention to provide an automatedsystem and method that has low overhead and requires little organizationinvolvement or oversight. It is another advantage of the presentinvention to broaden the scope of system connectivity and to include aninterface to the Internet. It is yet another advantage of the presentinvention to maintain a central database of related information and toprocess data across multiple independent organizations. It is stillanother advantage of the present invention to provide trend analysis andreporting. A system and method for substitute fulfillment, informationcompilation and notification is useful to any organization thatanticipates a need to assign substitute workers to fill temporaryabsences.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an automated system and method forperforming substitute fulfillment for an organization that wishes toreplace an employee during a temporary absence; performing placement offloating workers; tracking absences and entitlements of workers;notifying interested parties regarding unexpected events, dailyannouncements, policies and benefits; and bidding for temporary workers.In a preferred embodiment, the substitute fulfillment system includes aserver configured for managing substitute fulfillment, compilinginformation, and notifying parties for multiple client organizations.The server maintains substitute fulfillment data, contact data,notification information and other data in a database for one or moreclient organizations employing the system. Organizations entersubstitute fulfillment data and contact data via a website hosted by theserver. The system sends updates to and receives updates from anorganization's local database via the Internet or a telephone network.

In a preferred embodiment, an employee registers an absence bycontacting the substitute fulfillment system. In another preferredembodiment, a business entity such as a school or school districtregisters contact information and the system contacts the desiredparties regarding unexpected events, benefits, policies or dailyannouncements. Yet another embodiment encompasses a system which tracksinformation regarding workers” absences and entitlements.

In a preferred embodiment, the system provides the organization with theabsence information. Once an absence is registered, the substitutefulfillment system uses the database to identify potential substitutes,temporary workers or floating workers (“substitutes”) based onpreferences or matching criteria selected by the organization and otherinformation. The system then contacts the identified potentialsubstitutes to inquire regarding their availability. In a preferredembodiment, the system continues to contact potential substitutes untilone accepts the assignment or until the list is exhausted and allpotential substitutes have refused the assignment.

If a substitute accepts the assignment, the system relays instructions,key information and messages from the worker to the substitute, ifnecessary. Whether or not a substitute is successfully assigned, thesystem contacts the organization and other desired recipients to reporton the result. In a preferred embodiment, the system relies on multiplecommunications channels to ensure reliability.

The system can also track the absences of each particular worker and theworker's entitlements. Upon accessing the system, the worker or anadministrator can inquire about the worker's absences and entitlements.The system stores the information on the absences and entitlements inthe database.

In another embodiment, the system records announcements regardingunexpected or current events, benefits or policies when the system isaccessed by an authorized party for this purpose. The system thencontacts the interested parties regarding the announcement, or allowsthe interested parties to access the announcement upon request.Additionally, if desired, reports detailing the contacted parties andthe parties with which contact has been unsuccessful may be generated.

In another embodiment, the system can receive registration informationfrom substitute workers who are not affiliated with a specific client.The registrant's information and professional skills can be madeavailable to interested clients who will, upon approval, use thissubstitute worker for placement in their organization.

In another embodiment, the system allows substitutes to select positionsavailable with multiple unaffiliated organizations. The substituteworker can manage their availability and work schedule across thesemultiple non-affiliated organizations.

In another embodiment, the system retrieves a list of available jobs anddisplays the list to a substitute worker once the substitute workerestablishes a connection with the computer network. The substituteworker is able to select a position from the list without having toaccess the website, e.g., using an instant messaging system.

In yet another embodiment, the system is able to conduct auctions ofidle temporary workers. An organization that requires temporary workersmay designate the skills and background required of the worker, the dateand time for the position, as well as with the price the organization iswilling to pay. The system then fulfills these requests starting withthe highest bidder.

It is understood that “workplace” or “organization” or “entity”, whenused in this application, refers not only to more traditional workenvironments, but to any work environment amenable to substitutefulfillment, information compilation or notification, such as anemployee unit that works cooperatively together within a largerorganization, for example, an emergency services unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail byway of examples and with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an exemplary substitute fulfillment systemin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a detailed block diagram of an exemplary server configurationin accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a block diagram of an exemplary server in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is an exemplary flowchart of a method for performing substitutefulfillment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is an exemplary flowchart for allowing a substitute worker tosecure a position via the Internet according an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2C is an exemplary flowchart for notifying a designated group of anunexpected absence or event according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2D is an exemplary flowchart for allowing a substitute worker tosecure a position via an instant messaging system according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an exemplary data structure of a workerrecord stored in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an exemplary data structure of a clientrecord stored in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an exemplary data structure of a list ofpick-lists generated in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an exemplary data structure of a schoolrecord stored in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an exemplary data structure of a countyrecord stored in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an exemplary data structure of a districtrecord stored in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an exemplary data structure of auser-preferences record stored in accordance with a preferred embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a list of available reports selectable by auser in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary data structure for initialregistration with a substitute fulfillment system in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a representation of exemplary reports generated in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A-F is a state diagram illustrating the operation of acomputer-implemented system for performing substitute fulfillment inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 depicts a block diagram illustrating a data structure used forstoring information in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in variousand alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be limiting, but merely as a basis for theclaims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the artto variously employ the present invention.

Furthermore, element may be recited as being “coupled”. Use of thisterminology contemplates elements being connected together in such a waythat there may be other components interstitially located between thespecified elements, and that the elements so specified may be connectedin fixed or movable relation to one another. Certain components may bedescribed as being “adjacent” to one another. In such instances, it isexpected that a relationship so characterized shall be interpreted tomean that the components are located proximate to one another, but notnecessarily in contact with each other. Normally, there will be anabsence of other components positioned there between, but this is not arequirement. Still further, some structural relationships ororientations may be designated with the word “substantially”. In thosecases, it is meant that the relationship or orientation is as described,with allowances for variations that do not effect the cooperation of theso described component or components.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a block diagram of an exemplary substitutefulfillment system according to an embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated. As illustrated, the substitute fulfillment system 10includes a server 12 and a database 14. In a preferred embodiment, theserver 12 comprises one or more servers. The server 12 manages thesystem 10, which can include, for example, managing the storage of data,maintaining the database 14, communication interfaces, user frontends,and processing substitute fulfillment, information compilation ornotification events. In a preferred embodiment, the database 14comprises one or more databases. The database 14 can contain data fileswith data records for one or more client organizations, worker datarecords for each registered worker in each client organization, andsubstitute worker data records for each substitute worker registeredwith the system 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the server 12 can communicate with one ormore officials 28, one or more workers 30, and/or one or more substituteworkers 32 via a telephone network 16 or a computer network 18. Anofficial 28, a worker 30, or a substitute worker 32 communicates withthe server 12 using an electronic device. The electronic device can be,but is not limited to, a telephone, a cellular telephone, a wirelesstelephone network, a smart telephone, a handheld, a pager, a computer,or any other electronic device which can receive and transmitinformation.

The server 12 is coupled to the telephone network 16 via one or moretelephone communication links 20. The telephone network 16 can be, butis not limited to, a public telephone network, a cellular telephonenetwork, a satellite telephone network, a pager network, or other typesof telephone networks which can receive and transmit information. Theserver is coupled to the computer network 18 via one or more computercommunication links 22. The computer network 18 can be, but is notlimited to, the Internet, an Intranet, an instant messaging system, orany other type of computer network which can receive and transmitinformation.

In a preferred embodiment, the system 10 further comprises anInteractive Voice Response System (IVR) 25 for interfacing an official28, worker, 30 and/or substitute worker 32 with the server 12. In apreferred embodiment, the IVR 25 resides on the server 12. Exemplary IVRsystems 25 are the Dialogic Model™ D-41 ESC and D-240 product lines. Inan alternate embodiment, the IVR system 25 can be outsourced to a VoiceXML ASP provider with the server 12 containing code for IVR menus. Inaddition, the IVR system 25 can be used in conjunction with thetelephone network 16 and/or the computer network 18, e.g., Voice OverInternet Protocol (commonly referred to as Voice over IP). The system 10can generate call instructions over a computer network 18, e.g., theInternet to a gateway service (not shown) via one or more computercommunication links 22. The gateway service translates the electroniccalling instructions into a signal suitable for delivery to an end-uservia a telephone. The end-user listens to the audible prompts andresponds using the telephone which sends one or more signals back to thegateway, which in turn transmits the signal to the system 10 via the oneor more computer communication links 22.

In a preferred embodiment, the system 10 further comprises a telephonenetwork interface 24 and a computer network interface 26. The networkinterfaces 24, 26 allow an official 28, worker 30 and/or substituteworker 32 to interface with the server 12 via the telephone network 16and/or the computer network 18 In a preferred embodiment, the networkinterfaces 24, 26 reside on the server 12. The network interface 24, 26can be, but are not limited to, an IVR interface, a website interface,an instant messaging interface, a wireless application protocolinterface, an Imode interface, a pager interface, a handheld interface,or any other type of network interface 24, 26 which can receive andtransmit information over one or more telecommunication links 20, 22.

Referring to FIG. 11B, a detailed block diagram of an exemplary serverconfiguration in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. The substitute fulfillment system 10 comprisesone or more servers. The database server 14, or database engine,contains the database, which can reside on one or more computers. In apreferred embodiment, the database server 14 is an Microsoft SQL™server. The database can also be ported and run on an Oracle database.The web server 38 contains webpages for one or more websites accessiblefrom the Internet via the website interface 26. The report processingserver 40 is configured to gather data and/or generate one or morereports for client organizations. In alternate embodiments, each servercan run on a separate computer or on the same computer as any of theother servers. The server 12 can be coupled to telephony hardware 36. Ina preferred embodiment, the telephony hardware 36 includes multiplephone lines having one or more telephone communication links 20 that arecoupled to the telephone network 16. In a preferred embodiment, thecentral server 12 is further coupled to one or more routers 34 that arecoupled to one or more network communication links 22 that are coupledto the Internet 18. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention isan Internet Application Server Provider (ASP), or a thin-client.

Referring to FIG. 1C, a block diagram of an exemplary server inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. According to a preferred embodiment, the substitutefulfillment system 10 operates on a server 12 by executing one or moresequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory 46.Such instructions may be read into main memory 46 from another computerreadable medium, such as a storage device 50. Execution of the sequencesof instructions contained in main memory 46 causes processor 52 toperform the process steps described herein. One or more processors 52 ina multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute thesequences of instructions contained in main memory 46. In alternativeembodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or incombination with software instructions to implement the invention. Thus,embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combinationof hardware circuitry and software.

The server 12 can be coupled via the bus 44 to a display 56, such as acathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information. An input device 58,including alphanumeric and other keys, is coupled to the bus 44 forcommunicating information and command selections to processor 52.Another type of user input device is a cursor control 60, such as amouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating directioninformation and command selections to processor 52 and for controllingcursor movement on the display 56. This input device typically has twodegrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis(e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a plane.

The term “computer-readable medium” as used herein refers to any mediumthat participates in providing instructions to processor 52 forexecution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limitedto, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks.Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as main memory 46.Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics,including conductors that comprise a bus 44. Transmission media can alsotake the form of acoustic or electromagnetic waves, such as thosegenerated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) datacommunications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, forexample, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, anyother magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punchcards, paper tape, any other physical medium, with patterns of holes, aRAM, a PROM (programmable ROM), and EPROM (electronically PROM) aFLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or anyother medium from which a computer can read.

Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying oneor more sequences of one or more instructions to processor forexecution. For example, the instructions may initially be borne on amagnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can loadinstructions into its dynamic memory and send the instructions over atelephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system canreceive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitterto convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupledto the bus 44 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal andplace the data on the bus 44. Bus 44 carries the data to main memory 46,from which processor 52 retrieves and executes the instructions. Theinstructions received by main memory 46 may optionally be stored onstorage device 50 either before or after execution by processor.

Computer system also includes a communication interface 54 coupled tobus 44. The communication interface 54 provides a two-way datacommunication coupling to a communication link 20, 22. The communicationinterface 54 provides an interface between the IVR system 25 and thewebsite interface 26 and the communication links 20, 22, respectively.For example, the communication interface 54 may be an integratedservices digital network (ISDN) card or modem to provide a datacommunication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. Asanother example, communication interface 54 may be a local area network(LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatibleLAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation,communication interface 54 sends and receives electrical, radiofrequency, or optical signals that carry digital streams representingvarious types of information.

The server 12 can send messages and receive data, including programcode, through the network(s), communication link 20, 22 andcommunication interface 54. In the Internet example, the server 12 cantransmit a requested code for an application program through thecommunication interface 54 and Internet 18.

Registering with the System

Client organizations must register with the substitute fulfillmentsystem 10 in order for the system 10 to secure a substitute worker foran absent worker. The registration process requires a clientorganization to provide the registration information necessary toperform substitute fulfillment. In a preferred embodiment, the clientorganization provides this registration information in a spreadsheet.The spreadsheet can be sent via email or placed on a computer medium andsent in the mail. A worker then enters the registration information intothe database 14 for the client organization.

In an alternate embodiment, a client organization uses an applet, e.g.,a registration “wizard,” to enter the registration information. Thewizard presents a series of interfaces for guiding the organizationthrough the registration process. Referring now to FIG. 11, preferably,the registration wizard interface 250 requires the organization tosubmit identification 260 and billing information 258.

In a preferred embodiment, the server 12 displays one or more webpagesthat provide a client organization a series of forms to complete inorder to build records, which are key to substitute identification foreach worker 30 or potential substitute 32, as well as other recordsnecessary for ancillary tasks. Examples of other records include generalcustomer information and reporting preferences. The webpages arepreferably tailored for collecting data needed to perform substitutefulfillment in the work environment of the organization. For example, ifthe customer is a school, the webpages can be tailored to collect datarelated to teachers, such as education background, certifications,schedules, and course information. The forms preferably conform to thedata records that will be maintained by the server 12 in the database14. The webpages may aid the client in completing particular fields inthe forms by providing drop-down lists with options for that field.

Referring to FIG. 5, a sample data structure 150 of a possiblePick-Lists that can be generated is illustrated. For example, thedrop-down list may provide a list of all courses taught at the school sothat the client can select the classes taught by a particular teacher tofill in that teacher's record. The server 12 can also automatically fillin certain fields for the client by drawing on information stored inother records. For example, referring to FIGS. 3 and 6, once a schoolhas completed a school data record 166, the server 12 can fill in theschool contact information 176, 178, and 180 for each teacher affiliatedwith a particular school. Once the information has been entered into thesystem 10, the information can subsequently be updated using thewebpages via website interface 26.

In another embodiment, the primary data elements of the system 10 suchas a worker, substitute worker and location data, can be electronicallytransmitted between a client's existing system and the system 10,thereby eliminating the need for manual data entry. The electronicexchange of such data elements can be bi-directional, e.g., as soon as aspecific worker's record is modified on the client's system, the datacan be propagated from the client's system to the system 10, and viceversa where as soon as the worker records is modified in the system 10,the modified data can be electronically transmitted to the client'ssystem.

Typical Data Records in the System

Referring to FIGS. 3-10, exemplary data records for a school districtclient according to an embodiment of the present invention areillustrated. The data records illustrate types of information that thesystem 10 typically uses, and how that information would typically beorganized. In a preferred embodiment, the information in the datarecords is provided to the system 10 through the website interface.

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary staff data record according to anembodiment of the present invention is illustrated. As shown, teacherand substitute information stored in a staff data record 90, or datarecord 404, can include: name 92; title 94; social security number 96; apersonal identification number (PIN) 98; billing information for billingsubstitute fulfillment services involving that teacher 100;certifications of the teacher 102; a list of teachers preferred tosubstitute for the teacher, or, alternatively, a list of criteria forselecting an appropriate substitute for the teacher 104; scheduleinformation, preferably through a pop-up calendar 106, including workduties and absence information 108 (primarily for teachers) andavailability 126 (primarily for substitutes); flags for specialconditions 122, such as special instructions for a substitute ormessages from a teacher to a substitute; affiliation information 112;contact information for the teacher 116; organization contactinformation for who to contact if that teacher calls in an absence or asubstitute fulfillment is performed 118; classroom location information120; entitlement balances 124, for how many absences (sick days,personal days, etc.) a teacher has left for the school year; and calltime preferences 128 (primarily for substitutes). The substituteschedule information is also stored in data record 403. The entitlementtypes are stored in data record 402.

Referring to FIG. 4, exemplary business data for record-keeping,billing, and administrative functions according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated. The database 14 can store a businessdata record 130 with fields such as: the billing address 132 of thecustomer organization, its mailing address 134, billing contact 136,emergency contacts 138, phone numbers 140, fax numbers 142, electronicmail addresses 144, and options selected 148. It is understood that thefields shown are only representative of the fields that may be usedwithin the scope of the present invention. Also, these fields may befurther broken down into more specific subfields, for example, multiplemailing addresses or different emergency contacts for different times ofday, week, month, or year. In this way, the system 10 maintains theinformation needed to perform substitute fulfillment, informationcompilation or notification for a particular organization. Otherpossible records are shown in FIGS. 5-10, and include records forpick-list management 150; for school data 166; for county data 190; fordistrict data 202; for client preferences 226; and for reporting schemes230. The skills for each worker that may be used as a substitute or mayrequire a substitute are recorded in data record 409, while the worker'spersonal identification number for accessing the system 10 is stored indata record 410. Data records 407 and 408 include the preferred skillsof a potential substitute and the skills of the actual substitute whoaccepts the position, respectively. The records maintained in the maindatabase of the system 10 are preferably stored on the database server14.

Substitute Worker Fulfillment

Referring to FIG. 2A, an exemplary flowchart of a method for performingsubstitute fulfillment according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. At step 62, the server 12 receivesnotification of an absentee. The notification can occur in several ways.In one embodiment, when a worker 30 covered by the system 10 becomesaware of an absence, the worker 30 contacts the server 12 by telephone,preferably through a toll-free number. Using keys on the standardtelephone keypad, the worker 30 identifies himself or herself and entersthe details of the pending absence. Alternatively, the worker 30 cancontact a website hosted by the server 12 via the Internet 18. In analternate embodiment, the worker 30 can access a website hosted by theserver 12 via a link on a website hosted on behalf of the worker'semployer. The worker 30 can access the website using a personalcomputer, an Internet capable telephone, a personal data assistant, orany other device that provides access to the Internet. The informationregarding the pending absence is stored in data record 401. In additionto providing information regarding his upcoming absence, the worker 30can also record or transmit a message directed to the substitute workeror substitute 32. In one embodiment, if the worker 30 notifies theclient organization, rather than the system 10, of the absence directly,then the organization can either call in the absence as described aboveor can access the website as described above.

Once the server 12 receives the notification of an absence, the server12 records the absence in data record 401. The skills required of asubstitute are stored in data record 405. The entitlement informationregarding a pending absence is stored in data record 406. The serveroperates in the states shown in FIG. 13A, including Initial (281),MainMenu (282), Whenstep1 (283), WhenAnotherDay (284), Shift (285),StartTime (286), AbsenceType (287), RecordInstructions (288),ConfirmAbsence (289), CheckComplete (290), Entitlements (291),ErrorState (292), Hangup (293), and Goodbye (294), and the events whichinvoke these states are also described in FIG. 13A. For example,Generate Start Event signifies returning to the first action of thephone call, preferably to replay a greeting or a request for anidentification number. MainMenu (282) prompts the worker to push 1 onthe telephone if the worker desires to record an absence, 2 to listen toentitlement day balances, including but not limited to vacation,personal and sick days remaining, and 3 for special instructionsregarding a particular workplace. In Shift (285), if the worker'sabsence will not begin at the start of the work shift, the systemproceeds to StartTime (286), during which worker is prompted for thestart time of the absence. The worker is prompted to designate anabsence type, which types have been designated by the Client, in state287. In Entitlements (291), “List Entitlement Day Balances” signifiesnotifying the worker of entitlements, including but not limited to, usedand remaining vacation, sick and personal days.

At step 63, the system 10 distributes absence notifications to relevantclient personnel 28. The absence notifications can be distributed on aregular basis at a time specified in advance by the client or on anevent basis, e.g., upon each notification. Referring to FIG. 12, anexemplary notification in the form of summary absence reports 276 isillustrated. The information for the absence reports is stored on datarecord 400. For example, the server 12 can transmit a summary absencereport 276 for each workday at 5:00 p.m. on the previous day and againat 7:00 a.m. that day to selected client personnel. The summary absencereports 276 can be distributed via facsimile, electronic mail, applet,or through the website to any parties designated by the client as“need-to-know” parties for all absences or for particular absences.Notification preferences are stored within the server 12. In a preferredembodiment, designated client personnel receive both an absencenotification via electronic mail as soon as the absence is registeredand a summary absence report 276 via facsimile at a pre-set time. Use ofmultiple communications channels builds additional reliability into thesystem 10.

At step 64, the substitute fulfillment system 10 identifies potentialsubstitutes 32 for the absent worker 30. The organization typically hasa pool of potential substitutes 32. If the organization has chosen toidentify particular substitutes 32 suitable for a particular worker 30,then the substitute fulfillment system 10 accesses a list of theidentified substitutes 32 which is used in the next step. Alternatively,if the organization has identified only qualifications or criteria forselecting an acceptable substitute 32 for a particular worker 30, thenthe substitute fulfillment system 10 compiles a list of potentialsubstitutes by searching for potential substitutes with the requisitequalifications in a master list of substitutes 32 available to theorganization located in the database 14. In a preferred embodiment, thesubstitute fulfillment system 10 compiles a list of preferredsubstitutes and a back-up list of acceptable substitutes.

At step 65, the system 10 contacts potential substitutes 32 via thetelephone network using the IVR system 24. The IVR system 24 interfaceslogically with callers, usually employing a set of pre-recorded prompts,a database, and dynamic selection criteria. The number called, and thecaller identification are recorded in data record 411. The serveroperates during step 82 in the states including MakeTheCall (308),CallAnalysis (309), Identify (310), PresentRequest (311), RejectRequest(312), AcceptRequest (313), ErrorState (314), Goodbye (315), and Hangup(316) which are displayed in FIG. 13D. The invoking events for each ofthese states are set forth in FIG. 13D, and examples of these eventsfollow:

In Identify (310), the potential substitute is prompted for anidentification number. In PresentRequest (311), the request is playedand the potential substitute is prompted for 1 to replay the request, 2to accept and 3 to reject. Further, the potential substitute is promptedfor 1 to reject future requests, or 2 to allow additional requests to bephoned to the potential substitute, in RejectRequest (312). If thepotential substitute accepts the request, a confirmation number isplayed in AcceptRequest (313).

At step 66, the system 10 continues to contact the potential substituteworkers listed on the generated list over a period of time until asubstitute worker 32 accepts a position or until the generated list isexhausted. If multiple lists of potential substitutes have beencompiled, the system 10 first searches the list of preferred substitutesbefore resorting to secondary lists. The client organization may specifyappropriate call times and other parameters for the IVR system 24. If asubstitute worker 32 accepts the assignment, the server 12 can relayinstructions from the organization or messages from the absent worker 30to the substitute worker 32.

At step 67, the system 10 generates one or more reports and send thereports to organization personnel 28, e.g., officials, designated forreceipt of the reports. Clients may specify different personneldistribution lists for various reports. Reports may be mailedelectronically or faxed, or both by server 12. Referring to FIG. 12,exemplary reports generated by the system according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The system 10 generates summary absentee reports276, summary substitute assignment reports 278, call history reports279, and unfulfilled substitute assignment reports 280 with the detailsof any successful substitute, all calls made, and information regardingany vacancy that could not be filled. The information for the reports isstored in data record 400.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, all desiredtransaction information, including all absence notifications, substituterequirements, substitute fulfillment attempts, substitute fulfillmentsuccesses and failures, web site accesses, employment searches bysubstitutes, etc., are stored in the database 14.

List of Opportunities for Substitute Workers

In a preferred embodiment, using the information in the database 14, theserver 12 can generate a listing of opportunities for substitute workers32 and make the listing available through a web site interface.Substitute workers 32 can access the site and select an assignment. Ifthe same assignment is currently being processed or waiting to beprocessed by the IVR system 24, then the assignment selection isrecognized, further processing is halted, and appropriate reportsgenerated. Data record 400 stores the information for said reports.

Referring to FIG. 2B, an exemplary flowchart for allowing substituteworkers to secure a position via the Internet is illustrated. At step70, the server 12 receives notification of an absentee. Step 70 isequivalent to step 62 in FIG. 2A.

At step 71, the system 10 generates a list of positions that need to befilled. The list can be generated on a periodic basis, e.g., at the sametime everyday, or on an event basis, e.g. adding a new position upon thereceipt of an absentee notification. In the preferred embodiment,positions that the organization has chosen to identify particularsubstitutes 32 suitable for a particular worker 30, then the position isnot listed unless the system 10 cannot secure an identified substitute32.

At step 72, the system 10 posts or displays the list on a website hostedon the server 12.

At step 73, a response to the posted position is received by the system10 via the Internet.

At step 74, the system 10 determines if the substitute worker 32 isqualified to fill-in for the absent worker 30. The determination is madeby comparing the qualifications of the potential substitute worker 32with the qualifications or criteria for the position that are identifiedby the client organization. If the system 10 determines that thepotential substitute worker 32 is qualified, then the system 10 securesthe substitute worker 32 to cover for the absent worker 30. If asubstitute worker 32 accepts the assignment, the server 12 can relayinstructions from the organization or messages from the absent worker 30to the substitute worker 32.

At step 75, the system 10 notifies the client organization of theposition fulfillment. This can be accomplished by generating one or morereports and sending the reports to organization personnel 28, e.g.,officials, designated for receipt of the reports. Client organizationscan specify different personnel distribution lists for various reports.Reports may be mailed electronically, faxed, or both by server 12.Referring to FIG. 12, exemplary reports generated by the systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 10generates summary absentee reports 276, summary substitute assignmentreports 278, call history reports 279, and unfulfilled substituteassignment reports 280 with the details of any successful substitute,all calls made, and information regarding any vacancy that could not befilled. The information for the reports is stored in data record 400.

The server 12 is capable of handling multiple clients and multiplesubstitute fulfillment tasks simultaneously. The system 10 providesopportunities to match substitutes across organizations, to aggregatedata and to review trends. In a preferred embodiment, the server 12 anddatabase 14 track substitute fulfillment data globally, identifyopportunities for inter-organization substitute referral or fulfillment,and report on substitute fulfillment needs and other trends. The reportinformation is stored in data record 400. For example, the server 12 mayidentify substitute teachers registered in a district adjacent to acustomer school district and inform the customer school district. Inanother example, the substitute fulfillment system may identify hotspots where substitutes with particular qualifications are in demand.

Notification System of an Unexpected Absence

In a preferred embodiment, the system 10 can notify designated groups ofpeople of an absence over the telephone. The client in this embodimentis an organization including but not limited to school or businessentity. The data records may contain information related to contactinformation for each student in the school's body or each worker,including but not limited to, phone numbers and email addresses ofparents” and guardian's, student's classes, and student's year.

Referring to FIG. 2C, an exemplary flowchart for notifying a designatedgroup of an unexpected absence according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated. At step 76, the system receives a notificationof an unexpected absence via a phone call or email. Informationregarding the call, including the number called is stored at data record411. At step 76, the server 12 transitions between the states shown inFIG. 13C, which included RecordFilesMenu (303), RecordFiles (304),ErrorState (305), Goodbye (306) and Hangup (307). These states areinvoked by the events set fourth in FIG. 13C and several example eventsfollow. The caller is prompted for the recording ID, in order to preventan unauthorized recording in RecordFilesMenu (303). In RecordFiles(304), if the caller presses 1 on the telephone, the system 10 promptsthe caller to record a new recording or to verify that the existingrecording is acceptable.

At step 77, the system 10 distributes notifications of absence tointerested parties, including but not limited to, administrators ormanagers. These notifications may be in the form of summary absencereports distributed by facsimile, electronic mail, or via telephone toany parties designated by the client as a contact person for allabsences or for particular absences, including absences for a particularclass year.

At step 78, the system 10 contacts each persons listed in the contactinformation (“contacts”) for each absent student or worker, includingbut not limited to parents and guardians, preferably via the IVR system25 and telephone network 16. The system 10 calls the contacts in orderto receive an acknowledgement that the student or worker is absent foran acceptable reason.

At step 79, the system 10 continues to call particular contacts for thestudent or worker until the list is exhausted. If the list is notexhausted, the system 10 continues to call the next contact on the list.

At step 80, the system 10 generates and distributes a report ofunacknowledged absences from the server to designated personnel in theclient organization.

Notification System of an Unexpected Event

In another preferred embodiment, the invention may be used to notifydesignated groups of people over the telephone of an unexpected event.The client in this embodiment includes but is not limited to a school,school district, or business entity. The data records, in a preferredembodiment, contain information related to contact information for eachstudent or worker of the client's, including but not limited to, phonenumbers for workers, parents, and guardians, email addresses, student'sclasses, student's grade, and the content of the message representingthe unexpected event.

Referring to FIG. 2C again, an exemplary flowchart for notifying adesignated group of an unexpected event according to an embodiment ofthe present invention is illustrated. At step 76, the system 10 receivesa phone call or email regarding an unexpected event or announcement ofthe client, and records a new message regarding the unexpected event orannouncement. The server 12 then operates in and transitions between thestates shown in FIG. 13B, which include MainMenu (295), RecordSchoolMenu(296), RecordSchool (297), Record EntTypesMenu (298), RecordEntTypes(299), ErrorState (300), Goodbye (301), and Hangup (302). The eventswhich invoke and transition between these states are shown in FIG. 13B.

At step 78, the server 12 then contacts the persons listed in thecontact information for each affected student or worker, including butnot limited to parents and guardians, preferably using the IVR system 25and telephone network 16 to notify the contacts of the event orannouncement. At step 79, the system 10 continues to call particularcontacts for the student or worker until the list is exhausted. If thelist is not exhausted, the system 10 continues to call the next contacton the list. At step 80, the system 10 generates and distributes areport of unacknowledged event announcements from the server todesignated personnel in the client organization. The report can bedistributed via facsimile, electronic mail, or via an applet to anyparties designated by the client as a contact person for all events orfor particular events. All information for the reports is stored in datarecord 400.

Referring to FIG. 2D, an exemplary flowchart for allowing a substituteworker to secure a position via an instant messaging system according toan embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. At step 81, asubstitute worker 32 downloads an instant messaging (IM) applet from theserver 12 over a communication network 16, 18 where the applet isinstalled onto a computing device. Examples of IM applets include, butare not limited to, AOL IM, MSN IM, ICQ IM, and any other instantmessaging applets.

At step 82, the system 10 generates a list of positions that need to befilled in response to the substitute worker 32 establishing a connectionto the telephone network 16 or computer network 18. In a preferredembodiment, the list of positions is a list of positions that need to befilled in which the substitute worker 32 is qualified to fill. In apreferred embodiment, the list of positions is a list of positions thatone or more organizations has chosen to identify the particularsubstitute worker 32 who established the connection.

At step 83, the system 10 posts or displays the list on the computingdevice of the substitute worker 32. Using the IM applet, the substituteworker 32 can configure intervals over which an updated list ofpositions to be filled is retrieved and refreshed on the IM applet.

At step 84, a response to the posted position is received by the system10 via the IM applet. Thus, the substitute worker 32 is able to interactwith the system 10 without accessing the website.

At step 85, the system 10 determines if the substitute worker 32 isqualified to fill-in for the absent worker 30. The determination is madeby comparing the qualifications of the potential substitute worker 32with the qualifications or criteria for the position that are identifiedby the client organization. If the system 10 determines that thepotential substitute worker 32 is qualified, then the system 10 securesthe substitute worker 32 to cover for the absent worker 30. If asubstitute worker 32 accepts the assignment, the server 12 can relayinstructions from the organization or messages from the absent worker 30to the substitute worker 32 via the IM applet. In a preferredembodiment, the substitute worker 32 can participate in an interactiveonline message interaction, commonly known as an “online chat” witheither an official 28 from the client organization or the worker 30 thesubstitute worker 32 is temporarily replacing. In addition, thesubstitute worker 32 can receive a stored message or messages from theclient organization or the worker 30 the substitute worker 32 istemporarily replacing.

At step 86, the system 10 notifies the client organization of theposition fulfillment. This can be accomplished by generating one or morereports and sending the reports to organization personnel 28, e.g.,officials, designated for receipt of the reports. Client organizationscan specify different personnel distribution lists for various reports.Reports may be mailed electronically or faxed, or both by server 12.Refer ring to FIG. 12, exemplary reports generated by the systemaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 10generates summary absentee reports 276, summary substitute assignmentreports 278, call history reports 279, and unfulfilled substituteassignment reports 280 with the details of any successful substitute,all calls made, and information regarding any vacancy that could not befilled. The information for said reports is stored in data record 400.

System for Recording Daily Announcements

In another preferred embodiment, the invention may be used to notifydesignated groups of people over the telephone of daily announcements,including but not limited to school schedules. The client in thisembodiment is a school, school district, or business entity.

In this embodiment, the server operates in and transitions between thestates shown in FIG. 13B, which include MainMenu (295), RecordSchoolMenu(296), RecordSchool (297), RecordEntTypesMenu (298), RecordEntTypes(299), ErrorState (300), Goodbye (301), and Hangup (302). The eventswhich invoke and transition between these states are shown in FIG. 13B.For example, the system 10 prompts the caller in MainMenu (295) to enter1 to reach the RecordSchoolMenu (296), in order to record anannouncement and 2 to reach the RecordEntTypesMenu (298), in order torecord a message regarding entitlement types. Information regardingentitlement types is stored in data record 402. In RecordSchoolMenu(296), the caller is prompted for the valid school recordingidentification, which prevents unauthorized recordings, and similarly inRecordEntTypesMenu (298), the caller is prompted for the validEntitlement Type Recording ID, which prevents unauthorized recordings.In RecordSchool (297) and RecordEntTypes (299), if caller presses 1 onthe telephone, the system 10 prompts the caller to record a newrecording or to verify that the existing recording is acceptable.

Notification System of Patient-Related Information

The invention, in another preferred embodiment, may be used to notifydoctors of important patient related information, e.g., patient tests,and patient status. The system 10 receives phone calls and emailsregarding the patient related information. The system 10 distributesnotifications of the information via voice recorded messages that areannounced to many doctors at once using the contact data for therelevant doctors.

Substitute Teller Fulfillment System

In another preferred embodiment, the invention may be used to fulfillthe substitute teller requirements in a retail bank. The client in thisembodiment is a retail bank or branch office. The data records maycontain information related to contact information for each substituteteller, including but not limited to, phone numbers, email addresses,and qualifications. At step 62, the system 10 receives a phone call oremail regarding an absence of a teller, and the information regardingthis absence is stored in data record 401. At step 64, the system 10identifies potential substitutes 32 for the absent teller 30. At step65, the server 12 then contacts the potential substitute tellers,preferably via the telephone network 16 using the IVR system 24. Duringstep 65, the server 12 proceeds in and transitions between the states inFIG. 13D, which include MakeTheCall (308), CallAnalysis (309), Identity(310), Present Request (3110, RejectRequest (312), AcceptRequest (313),ErrorState (314), Hangup (315) and Goodbye (316). The events whichinvoke these states and transitions between the states are set forth inFIG. 13D. Provided the system was able to contact the substitute teller,the substitute teller is able to accept or reject the position.

Alternatively, the client may have a pool of floating tellers who fillthe vacancies in the bank in a given day. The server 12 then contactsthe floating tellers, preferably by telephone, email, or facsimile toinform the floating teller to report to a particular branch office. Ifthe server 12 attempts to contact the floating tellers via facsimile,the server 12 proceeds in and transitions between the states set forthin FIG. 13E. The possible states of the server include MakeTheCall(317), CallAnaylsis (318), FaxSend (319), ErrorState (320), Goodbye(321) and Hangup (322). FIG. 13E sets forth the events which triggerthese states and the transitions between these states.

Upon acceptance by a substitute teller or floating teller or exhaustionof the list of substitute tellers or floating tellers, the system 10generates reports detailing who is absent, who was contacted regardingthe position, who has accepted the position and the qualifications ofthe substitute or floating teller. The information compiled in thereports is stored in data record 400.

Worker Substitute Fulfillment System

The invention, in another preferred embodiment, may be used to fulfillthe substitute worker requirements for workers, including but notlimited to, fire police, security staff, ambulance workers, wait staff,cooks, bus boys, cashiers, sales people, production line workers, pilotsand flight attendants. The data records may contain information relatedto contact information for each substitute worker, including but notlimited to, phone numbers, electronic identifiers, email addresses, andqualifications, and the shifts worked by the workers. At step 62, thesystem 10 receives a phone call or email regarding an absence of aworker, and stores this information in data record 401. At step 64, thesystem 10 identifies potential substitutes 32 for the absent worker 30.At step 65, the server 12 then contacts the potential substitute workers30, who are not working the specified shift, preferably using the IVRsystem 24 and telephone network 16. Provided the system 10 was able tocontact the substitute worker 32, the substitute worker 32 is able toaccept or reject the position. During step 65, the server proceeds inand transitions between the states in FIG. 13D, which includeMakeTheCall (308), CallAnalysis (309), Identity (310), Present Request(3110, RejectRequest (312), AcceptRequest (313), ErrorState (314),Hangup (315) and Goodbye (316). The events which invoke these states andtransitions between the states are set forth in FIG. 13D. Provided thesystem was able to contact the substitute worker, the substitute workeris able to accept or reject the position.

Temporary Worker Agency Fulfillment System

In another preferred embodiment, the invention may be used to fulfillthe substitute worker requirements through a temporary worker agency.This embodiment of the invention may be used to find substitutes formaterial moving and equipment operators, nurses, doctors, x-raytechnicians, physical therapy workers, and surgical assistants. Theclient in this embodiment is a temporary worker agency. The data recordsmay contain information related to contact information for eachsubstitute worker, including but not limited to, phone numbers, emailaddresses, particular position sought and qualifications. At step 62,the system 10 receives a phone call or email from a customer of theclient designating the position to be filled, and the information isstored in data record 401. Additionally, the absent worker of theclient's customer may directly contact the system 10 preferably viatelephone or email. At step 64, the system 10 identifies potentialsubstitutes 32 for the absent teller 30.

At step 65, the server 12 then contacts the potential substitutes withthe requisite qualifications, preferably using the IVR system 24 andtelephone network 16. Provided the system was able to contact thesubstitute 32, the substitute 32 is able to accept or reject theposition. During step 65, the server 12 proceeds in and transitionsbetween the states in FIG. 13D, which include MakeTheCall (308),CallAnalysis (309), Identity (310), PresentRequest (3110, RejectRequest(312), AcceptRequest (313), ErrorState (314), Hangup (315) and Goodbye(316). The events which invoke these states and transitions between thestates are set forth in FIG. 13D.

The system 10 generates reports detailing who is absent, who wascontacted regarding the position, who has accepted the position and thequalifications of the substitute. According the client's instructions,these reports may be sent to the client and the client's customers.Reports may be customized to show the information required by each ofthe client's customers, said information in data record 400.

Notification System for Union Policies and Benefits

In another preferred embodiment, the invention may be used to notifyunion members of policies and benefits. The client is a union orunionized organization. The data records may contain information relatedto contact information for each member, including but not limited to,phone numbers, email addresses, position and employer. At step 62, thesystem 10 receives a phone call or email from the client designating newpolicies or benefits for union members, or business matters for theunion. At step 65, the server 12 then contacts the members who areaffected by the policies, benefits or business matters, preferably usingthe IVR system 24 and telephone network 16. The system 10 generatesreports detailing who was successfully and unsuccessfully contacted.

System for Recording Absences and Entitlements

In another preferred embodiment, the invention may be used to recordabsences for a business entity. The client is a business entity, such asa corporation. The data records may contain information related tocontact information for each worker, including but not limited to,schedule, phone numbers, email addresses, position and entitledvacation, sick and personal time. The system 10 receives a phone call oremail from a worker designating an absence and reason for the absence,including but not limited to sick time, vacation time and personal time,and stores the information in data record 401. The system 10 generatesreports from data record 400 detailing who is absent, and the absentworker's record for absences including the type of absence. Thesereports may include sick time, vacation time and personal time used andremaining.

System for Idle Temporary Worker Auctions

In another preferred embodiment, the invention may be used to allowdifferent clients to bid for temporary workers. The client woulddesignate the required skills and pertinent information for thetemporary worker, e.g., the required degrees, the required experience,the geographical location of the position and the dates of the position.Additionally, the client would designate how much it was willing to payfor the temporary worker. The system 10 then processes all requests fortemporary workers for the date and time required and fulfills therequests based upon the highest bidder receiving the most qualifiedtemporary worker for the position first, then the next highest biddersrequest is fulfilled and so on until all requests are fulfilled or noacceptable temporary workers are available.

The substitute fulfillment, information compilation or notificationdatabase 34 is depicted in FIGS. 14A-H and, more particularly, from datarecords 400 to 410. The states in which and between which the systemoperates are shown in FIG. 13A-F.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for thatpurpose and that numerous modifications, alterations and changes can bemade therein by those skilled in the art without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention except as it may be limited by theclaims.

1. A method for performing position fulfillment on one or morecomputers, comprising: generating electronically a list of one or morepositions for which a worker is qualified that need to be filled;posting on a webpage associated with the worker or transmitting to anelectronic appliance associated with the worker, the list of one or morepositions that need to be filled; receiving electronically a response bya worker accepting one of the one or more positions; and securing, inresponse to the receiving the response accepting step, the position forthe worker who accepted the position.